U.S. Strikes Houthi Targets in Red Sea to Protect Global Shipping

Confidence UbaniJanuary 19, 20241 Mins read248

The U.S. has intensified its military actions against Houthi forces in Yemen, targeting their anti-ship missiles in the Red Sea. The U.S. military reported that the Yemeni Houthis were readying two anti-ship missiles for launch into the Red Sea. These missiles were considered an immediate danger to both commercial shipping and U.S. Navy ships in the area. This escalation follows recent Houthi attacks on maritime trade, which have already impacted the flow of goods between Asia and Europe.

The situation intensified on Wednesday night when Genco Picardy, a U.S.-operated ship, was attacked in the Gulf of Aden. The incident, marking the second attack on a U.S.-operated vessel this week, caused a fire onboard, leading to the Indian Navy’s intervention. A warship was diverted to rescue all 22 crew members, including nine Indians. Their safety was ensured, and the fire was extinguished.

The U.S. has responded with fresh airstrikes conducted on Thursday. The intervention aims to safeguard vital global trade routes and prevent potential supply chain disruptions and inflation. The U.S. response, under President Biden, combines limited strikes with sanctions, striving to avoid a broader Middle East conflict while countering Houthi aggression.

Despite these efforts, the Houthis continue their attacks. Biden, on the other hand, acknowledged that the strikes had not halted attacks by the militants but said the U.S. military would not cease its operations in Yemen either.

“Are they stopping the Houthis? No. Are they gonna continue? Yes,” Biden told reporters aboard Air Force One.

The Pentagon stresses that the U.S. actions are defensive, aimed at protecting international waters. According to reports from Reuters, the ongoing conflict is weighing badly on major shipping routes, including the Suez Canal. The disruptions have led to a significant decrease in Suez Canal revenue and affected global shipping patterns, with many vessels now avoiding the Red Sea.